*edited on September 30, 2015 to add new photos
I am so excited!!! I just came up with this idea tonight after not having bread (wanted to make bruschetta) or mozzarella (Plan B was a Caprese salad!)
What I did have was ricotta and I had this lovely vision and it looked like this:
This appetizer is so easy! Slice tomatoes, place on a plate, and sprinkle with Kosher salt. Top with a small spoonful (I used a melon-baller) of ricotta. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with chopped fresh basil, ta dah!
I have discovered the BEST ricotta I’ve had outside of Italy, and it’s made by Grande Cheese Company. It comes in a 3 lb tub, but it lasts quite a long time (over a week once it’s opened.) It makes EVERYTHING taste incredible! I used to buy it surreptitiously at Whole Foods via their kitchen area (not sold to the public)!
I first tasted this ricotta a few years ago when I had a piece of pizza at Whole Foods which had mozzarella, ricotta and roasted garlic on top. I took one bite of the ricotta on the pizza and walked straight back inside to find out which brand of cheese it was! Yes, it’s that good!
For those of you in the Los Angeles area, I have now found Grande ricotta at Monte Carlo Deli on Magnolia in Burbank, for half the price that Whole Foods used to sell it to me! If the only kind of ricotta you’ve ever had is Polly-O or Frigo, do yourself a favor and try Grande, it’s the way ricotta should taste–you won’t regret it!
Buon Appetito!
This is one of the original photos I had in this post. I’m leaving it here as I used to think this was a good photo, and to remind myself that there’s always room for improvement.
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Step by Step Frittata Recipe and a Lovely Italian Brunch Menu - Christina's Cucina
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[…] Tomato, Ricotta and Basil Antipasto […]
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook
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What a fabulous twist to the caprese. It’s beautifully presented and I want some! I am in the LA area, I’ll have to look for the Grande ricotta.
Christina
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Oh you’re going to flip, Lauren!! Let me know what you think after you’ve tasted it!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
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I appreciate a lady who knows her ricotta! I’m cracking up about you marching into the kitchen at Whole Foods and getting them to sell you the ricotta. It’s something my Mom would do. I’ll have to look for the Grande brand. Your appetizers look delicious!
Christina
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Well, I didn’t actually march “into” the kitchen, but it was close! ;) Thanks, Andrea!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
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The perfect little light and fresh starter. These always go down so well at dinner parties.
Christina
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Exactly!
Pooja@poojascookery.com
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what a great recipe.. sounds fun.
Christina
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:)
Holly
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This recipe sounds so simple and delicious! I’ve never heard of Grande Cheese Company ricotta but I’m gonna make it a mission to find it now. Thanks for the tip and the recipe!
Christina
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Good luck, Holly! I hope you can find it!
Catherine
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What a delightfully simple and elegant appetizer. I love this idea…I must try it soon. xoxo, Catherine
Christina
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Thank you, Catherine! I’m so glad you like it!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
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I love simple and delicious. What a great appetizer, so simple and pretty. I must find and try that Grande ricotta around here. We are just getting a Whole Foods, so maybe when I go to the grand opening I can check it out.
Christina
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Ohh, thank you, Allie! Yes, it’s really the best brand I’ve found and everyone who tastes it agrees! One friend added it to her book launch party menu after trying my tub! It’s that good! ;)
Marye
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Yum! This looks like a delicious appetizer, I can’t wait to try it!
Bruschetta…I’ll even tell you how to pronounce it!
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[…] Tomato Ricotta and Basil Antipasto […]